Jonathan Chen, Professor at the University of Texas, Austin, presented his overview of renewable natural fibers, derived mainly from crops such as cotton, jute, flax, kenaf, ramie, hemp and bagasse. 

Chen focused on their classifications, morphology, physical and chemical properties and new applications. He noted that the production of polyester alone is equal to the total of all natural fiber production and this renewable, sustainable resource deserves more attention. 

Chen demonstrated that the morphology and properties of natural fibers can differ widely. For example, cellulose content can range from 92 to 95 percent  (cotton) to 46 percent (bagasse). Length (2 to 4mm in bagasse, 40-250 mm in ramie) and width (88 microns in bagasse, 5 to 25 in jute) differ as does tensile strength (0.18 GPa for kenaf but up to 0.84 for cotton). 

Production and quality of crop fibers is heavily dependent on the farmers raising, harvesting, handling and processing the crops, either by traditional or mechanical means, before they reach the manufacturers. End uses include automotive, construction, marine and textile applications. 

Chen noted the use of nonwoven fiber products for sound absorption in automobile interiors, which provides lighter weight, excellent acoustical performance, enhanced passenger safety and better biodegradability for disposal.